Someone mentioned (I think on Rachel Maddow last night) that they kept the Palin pick under wraps better than lots of other things that leaked out later. I'm not sure I agree with that. I think the reason the Palin choice wasn't leaked was that she was a last-minute grab. It would also explain why she wasn't vetted. They got hit upside the head right away with Troopergate and her daughter's pregnancy and they seemed completely unprepared.